MN Vikings Trade for QB, Draft Pass Rusher

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Sam Howell
Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings came into the NFL Draft with only four picks to play with. That didn’t deter them from following through on their process. At 24th overall, they grabbed offensive guard Donovan Jackson, the final piece of their new o-line puzzle.

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah started wheeling and dealing after that, trading back with Houston to the very end of the 3rd round while moving up a bit on day three. Then, the Vikings selected wide receiver Tai Felton with the final pick (102) in the third round.

Plenty of the Vikings’ offseason heavy lifting was already, prior to the draft, thanks to an active free agency. One thing Minnesota has been missing is a veteran backup for QB J.J. McCarthy. There was some steam a reunion with Kirk Cousins could happen, even some Aaron Rodgers chatter.

Sam Howell lands backup job with Minnesota Vikings

It always seemed as though the MN Vikings would find their backup quarterback through a trade. Despite Shedeur Sanders falling to the 5th round, Minnesota stuck to their guns and swung a deal with the Seattle Seahawks for their former QB2, Sam Howell.

Of course, the Seahawks landed their new starter in the form of Sam Darnold, then picked up Drew Lock to back him up. That left Howell in QB3 purgatory, prior to this trade. Now, he’ll be the direct backup to JJ McCarthy.

The former North Carolina product was a fifth round pick by the Washington Commanders in 2022. He played just one game as a rookie before starting all 17 in 2023. His 612 passing attempts led the league that year and he turned them into 3,946 yards on a 63.4% completion rate.

Howell is an athletic quarterback and utilizes his legs as well. He scored five touchdowns on the ground in 2023 while scrambling for 263 yards. Unfortunately for Howell, he also led the league in interceptions with 21. That neutralized his 21 touchdowns and kept him from Washington’s future plans.

Howell backed up Geno Smith in Seattle last season but saw the field in just two games. He attempted only 14 passes and has assumed the role of a veteran backup. The hope is that Howell can impart a bit of wisdom on an even younger McCarthy.

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins joins MN Vikings defensive front

Using the first overall pick in the fifth round, that was acquired from Cleveland in the Za’Darius Smith trade, Minnesota grabbed another pass rusher, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, adding more talent to an already loaded position group for the Vikings.

The Georgia defensive lineman played in 14 games last season and recorded 19 tackles. He had eight for losses and recorded three sacks. He has the ability to come off the edge, but can also play some interior offensive line.

Brian Flores continues to stockpile pass rushers. Last season both Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel were stars for the Minnesota Vikings. Rookie Dallas Turner flashed at times as well. Now Ingram-Dawkins will look to make his mark amongst that group.

Related: NFL Draft Experts Drool Over New MN Viking, Donovan Jackson

Minnesota has worked heavily in the trenches this offseason. Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave both signed with the Vikings to solidify the interior defensive line. The group as a whole will look to help take pressure off of the Minnesota secondary.

The Vikings have just a single selection remaining today. They own the 36th pick in the fifth round (172nd overall), which was acquired in the trade for Sam Howell.

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